Okay, semi-newb here. I've been able to replace the ROM on an Arnova tablet a year ago, and sideloaded Google play on a Polaroid tablet. I've been researching the simplest way to turn my Mom's Kindle Fire V1 into a simple android tablet with access to Google Play. If I can accomplish this, then I'm hoping to repeat the process on my son's Kindle Fire HD. I'd like to load one of the Nexus 7 Roms. Unfortunately, there's a /lot/ of different Nexus ROMs and methods, each with links to other software that I'm trying to understand. Please forgive my questions...

"-I suggest you make a backup"
Is this what TWRP is for? I've copied all the KF files onto my computer already, but I don't have an .img file. And if I want to reflash with the original files, do I need to create an .img of my existing files, or do I download one from the list of files that I see in the goomanager?

"-Wipe data, cache, system, and dalvik cache"
Do I use one of these files to do this, or do I go into the KF settings to do this?

-Install ROM
Do I just copy the boot.img over to the root directory of the KF. I recall doing this for the Arnova.

-Install the latest gapps for CM10.1.x
Again, do I use one of these programs to do so, or copy files over (side-load)? I don't see .apk files in this package

-Reboot
I think I can do this one. :P

Again, sorry for being a newb...I just want to make sure I'm doing everything right. Haven't bricked a tablet yet, but I've probably just been lucky so far.

Thanks in advance. (Oh, do I need the fastboot cable for any of this? Is it recommended to get one just in case?)

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